Speech of Z. Royim Yimchungrü, Acting President of Naga National Council on the occasion of the Naga Republic Day of March 22, 2018
Dear Naga People,
In praise of our living God I on behalf of the Naga National Council salute the Naga people and the National Workers in particular on this auspicious Naga Republic Day, as our living God has given another peaceful year of celebration of National Day as we march on for the attainment of our freedom. And this is my prayer today that the living God bless our people and land for His glory in this part of our world. May our Lord Jesus Christ's will and purpose prevail in the entire land of the Nagas and victory of freedom come to our homeland.
I also bow down my head in prayer to God in remembrance of our Naga martyrs today for their self-less and sacrificial deeds for the cause of freedom. As we celebrate the day, let us the living remember the martyrs in our prayer, and also for their families in particular for blessings to be upon them.
The NNC today wish all of our well-wishers and supporters far and near who stood strong morally and politically for Naga people and also for constant prayer to God for Naga freedom.
Today on this occasion I must say that the Government of India has come forward to have honest and sincere negotiation with the majority of the Naga National Political Groups recognising the historical and political rights of the Naga people to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity, and the two entities (GOI & NNPGs) are working out the relationship in consonance with contemporary realities.
Therefore, the two entities should work to establish and consolidate new relations and foster cooperation on common interest, which are in each entity and mutual best interest, and the competencies must be negotiated in accordance with the principles of the November 17th, 2017 honorable agreement. Since the Naga people have the right of self defense against any force that threatens the Naga people's identity, historical and political rights and right to self-determination. The two entities must take all appropriate measures to restore security, peace and good -will between the Government of India and the Naga people in conformity with the honorable agreement. The Naga people must be responsible for all security matters within its territorial jurisdiction and take necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard both the entities security concerns.
The Naga people also must have the right to pursue and develop international relations and foreign policy based on the Naga people's identity, historical and political rights, right to self determination and in consonance with the agreement between the two entities. Therefore the citizens of Nagaland must have a distinct passport indicative of their distinct identity and their historical and political rights. Where possible, the Naga people must have the right to represent themselves as a distinct entity in the international arena.
The Naga people must also have the right to develop and introduce their own immigration policy, grant visas to visitors traveling into Nagaland, levy of custom duties and introduce mechanisms to pursue and achieve such objectives. The Naga people also must have a Foreign Secretariat to establish, to liaison with the Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India to pursue, discuss and develop better understanding and cooperation within the terms of the agreement.
The Naga people must also have the right to create, establish and pursue their own communication policies in accordance to their requirements and purposes. The Nagas have every right to have their own flag to represent their distinct identity.
The Naga people sincerely hope and pray that the largest democracy India will honestly resolve the seven long decades of political problem amicably with honorable and acceptable agreement between the Naga people and the Government of India for peace and development in the Region.
Kuknalim!
